Structural Engineer
Salary

Structural Engineers in the United States can expect to earn an average of $65K per year. Compensation ranges from $50K on the lower end to $95K per year on the higher end. With some bonuses approaching $7K and certain profit sharing proceeds approaching $8K, overall incomes of Structural Engineers spread between $50K and $95K depending on individual performance. Experience level is the main element affecting pay for this group — the company and geographic location are driving factors as well. Medical benefits are awarded to almost all, and a fair number earn dental coverage. Male Structural Engineers far outnumber their female contemporaries among those who completed the questionnaire. For the most part, Structural Engineers enjoy their work and report high levels of job satisfaction. Participants in PayScale's salary questionnaire provided the particulars of this report.

XTotal Pay combines base annual salary or hourly wage, bonuses, profit sharing, tips, commissions, overtime pay and other forms of cash earnings, as applicable for this job. It does not include equity (stock) compensation, cash value of retirement benefits, or the value of other non-cash benefits (e.g. healthcare).

XTotal Pay combines base annual salary or hourly wage, bonuses, profit sharing, tips, commissions, overtime pay and other forms of cash earnings, as applicable for this job. It does not include equity (stock) compensation, cash value of retirement benefits, or the value of other non-cash benefits (e.g. healthcare).

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Job Description for Structural Engineer

Structural engineers are individuals who design and create various forms of infrastructures that play a key role in the development of a community. Structural engineers work closely with the construction sector. For example, structural engineers can find employment with numerous organizations related to industrial construction and the building of bridges, buildings, pipelines, and mechanical structures. These companies include contractors, local authorizes, utility companies, central and federal government agencies, and automotive companies.

Some duties associated with structural engineering are performing required inspections on various structures and assisting in training other junior engineers and related employees to the project team. These engineers also develop construction documents, such as specifications and drawings. Structural engineers are also responsible for ensuring that construction projects meet environmental directives, health and safety requirements, and legal guidelines. Structural engineers may also provide technical advice to various organizations and make calculations regarding loads and stresses on infrastructures.

In order to become a structural engineer, employers may require applicants to have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or a master’s degree in structural engineering. Employers may also ask for prospective applicants that have obtained at least two to five years of work-related experience or predetermined vocational skills that have been completed through an accredited employer.

Structural Engineer Tasks

Manages and directs staff at project site.

Performs engineering duties; plan, design and oversee the construction and maintenance of buildings, bridges, and other structures.

Researches and analyzes maps, blueprints, photos, charts, and other data to plan projects.

Gathers information to prepare and present reports on project topics.

Common Career Paths for Structural Engineer

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Structural Engineers might see a strong upturn in salary after transitioning into upper-level roles such as Structural Principal Engineer, a seemingly popular career choice. People currently working in the latter position report a noticeably higher median income of $104K per year. It is not uncommon for a Structural Engineer to continue on to become a Senior Structural Engineer or a Roads and Bridges Structural Engineer.

Structural Engineer Job Listings

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Popular Employer Salaries for Structural Engineer

Well-known firms with a reputation for hiring numerous Structural Engineers include The Boeing Company, Jacobs Engineering Group Inc, URS Corporation Inc., Walter P. Moore, and Sargent & Lundy. Although Sargent & Lundy leads the field in pay with a median salary of $86K, employees there receive a wide spread of salaries, from $63K on the low end all the way up to $147K at the top. Those in search of high salaries should also consider The Boeing Company, Peter Kiewit Sons', Inc., and CH2M Hill, top-paying firms where Structural Engineers rake in a respectable $79K, $77K, or $73K, respectively.

With a median salary of only $61K, Thornton-Tomasetti Group, Inc pays the least. It seems that the compensation range of $52K to $108K isn't that wide, either. Other low-paying employers include Walter P. Moore at $64K and Kpff Consulting Engineers, Inc. at $65K, though some Structural Engineers there earn up to $138K.

Popular Skills for Structural Engineer

This chart shows the most popular skills for this job and what effect each skill has on pay.

Survey results imply that Structural Engineers deploy a deep pool of skills on the job. Most notably, skills in Project Management, STAAD, ANSYS, and Finite Element Analysis are correlated to pay that is above average, with boosts in pay of 7 percent. Skills that pay less than market rate include AutoDesk, AutoCAD, and Autodesk Revit Structure. Those educated in AutoCAD tend to be well versed in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office.

Pay by Experience Level for Structural Engineer

Median of all compensation (including tips, bonus, and overtime) by years of experience.

Structural Engineers generally obtain higher compensation for more plentiful past experience. Workers with less than five years' experience earn around $60K on average, and those who have five to 10 years under their belts see a higher median salary of $71K. Structural Engineers who work for 10 to 20 years in their occupation tend to earn about $85K. Folks who have racked up more than 20 years in the field report incomes that aren't that much higher than less experienced individuals' earnings; the veterans make just $101K on average.

Pay Difference by Location

Home to some of the best pay for Structural Engineers, Houston offers exceptional salaries, 21 percent above the national average. Structural Engineers will also find cushy salaries in Seattle (+11 percent), Washington (+10 percent), Los Angeles (+10 percent), and San Francisco (+6 percent). The smallest paychecks in the market, 5 percent south of the national average, can be found in Portland. Not at the bottom but still paying below the median are employers in Philadelphia and Dallas (4 percent lower and 3 percent lower, respectively).

Structural Engineer Reviews

What is it like working as a Structural Engineer?

Structural Engineer in Waukesha:

"Challenging work - exciting and rewarding."

Pros: Learning new engineering design methods from senior engineers and being able to use that knowledge to improve the world around me.
I get to be a part of a very large process that creates homes, workplaces, medical facilities, infrastructure, and other places that benefit communities.
I enjoy problem solving in an environment that welcomes questions and discussion. The workplace culture is great!

Cons: It is occasionally frustrating, and sometimes requires a lot of patience.

Structural Engineer in Newport Beach:

"Being A Structural Engineer Is Challenging And Rewarding."

Pros: I get to solve interesting problems and get compensated well to do it. Also, the work I do makes a difference and helps people.